engagement

noun

en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
en-
1
a
: an arrangement to meet or be present at a specified time and place
a dinner engagement
b
: a job or period of employment especially as a performer
2
: something that engages : pledge
3
a
: the act of engaging : the state of being engaged
b
: emotional involvement or commitment
seesaws between obsessive engagement and ambiguous detachmentGary Taylor
c
4
: the state of being in gear
5
: a hostile encounter between military forces

Examples of engagement in a Sentence

The couple recently announced their engagement. She surprised everyone by breaking off her yearlong engagement. We have a dinner engagement this weekend. She's been offered several speaking engagements. his lifelong engagement with politics a lack of emotional engagement
Recent Examples on the Web Then the convoy would hasten to its next engagement, trying to cover vast Uttar Pradesh distances through dense Uttar Pradesh traffic, and always behind schedule. Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024 Oregon State University hired him as vice provost for extension and engagement and director of Oregon State's extension service, retiring in March 2024. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 20 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for engagement 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'engagement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of engagement was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near engagement

Cite this Entry

“Engagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engagement. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
1
a
: a promise to be present at a specified place and time
b
: employment especially for a stated time
the band had engagements in different towns
2
3
a
: the act of engaging : the state of being engaged
b
: an agreement to marry
also : the period during which one is pledged to be married
4
: the state of being meshed into a working arrangement in which one part drives another
5
: the state of being in conflict, opposition, or battle

Medical Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
: the phase of childbirth in which the fetal head passes into the cavity of the true pelvis

More from Merriam-Webster on engagement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!